Ballmer: Consumers no longer paying $500 extra for Apple logo

Now that sales of Apple's Mac computers are going down, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer claims the tide has really turned against Apple in the computer market. Ballmer spoke at a conference in NY yesterday and stated consumers are no longer willing to pay $500 more to get a logo on their computer:

Speaking at a conference in New York this morning, Steve Ballmer was asked about the momentum Apple has experienced in the desktop and notebook computer market. The Microsoft CEO quickly jumped in to correct that impression, alluding to more recent data showing Apple's growth taking a hit. And then he said something that could singlehandedly refan the flames of the Mac vs. PC rivalry.

"Apple gained about one point, but now I think the tide has really turned back the other direction," Ballmer said, via webcast. "The economy is helpful. Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment -- same piece of hardware -- paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that's a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be."